Drua is the Pasifika Addictions Network, a collective of Pacific leaders, registered practitioners and thought partners working across the addiction and mental health sectors in Aotearoa.
With deep roots in both clinical and community practice, Drua exists to strengthen and elevate the Pacific Addictions workforce, ensuring culturally grounded, safe and effective care for Pacific peoples.
Established as a voluntary network, Drua brings together expertise from secondary services, NGOs, academia and private practice. Our members contribute their time, wisdom and lived experience to advocate for Pacific worldviews in service delivery, policy, workforce development and system change.
Drua also plays a key role in national conversations, representing Pacific voices through platforms such as the National Committee for Addiction Treatment (NCAT). Guided by Pacific values and collective leadership, Drua continues to navigate the tides of change, steering the sector toward equity, cultural integrity and excellence.
About the fund
With the support of Te Whatu Ora, the Pasifika Mental Health and Addiction workforce group fund allocates up to $10,000 per year to support the strategic goal of increasing the capacity of the mental health workforce by providing additional resource to the Pasifika health workforce sector.
Join the Drua network
For regular updates and further information about Drua’s work across the workforce and communities, please register using the link below.
About our name
Drua is the name given to the sacred double-hulled Fijian canoes of gigantic proportions, renowned for their innovative design, craftsmanship and ability to transport up to 300 people at a time.
The drua was a product of considerable group endeavour, requiring total community involvement in its construction. Drua symbolises the bringing together of peoples’ skills and knowledge to construct and voyage in one vessel to new horizons.
Drua network co-chairs
Pasifika Addiction Leadership Day
The 2024 Drua Fono, held on 29 November 2024, brought together Pasifika addiction practitioners, leaders and community voices from across Aotearoa to share knowledge, strengthen connections and advance culturally responsive approaches in addiction services.
The event created a powerful space for collaboration, innovation, and collective commitment to enhancing Pasifika wellbeing.
For more information contact: Jasmine.Leota@leva.co.nz or drua.pasifikaaddictionsnetwork@gmail.com.
